CTV orders 4K-ready truck for England cricket on Sky

The truck, which is planned to launch around May 2014, would be the UK’s second multi-camera 4K unit following Telegenic’s launch of T25 in June.

CTV international director Barry Johnstone said specifications would be nailed down post-IBC, when more is known about the types of cameras needed to shoot 4K live.

“We are working with Sony and Sky for the truck to come on stream in the second quarter of next year, but we have to make sure that what we put on board will stand the test of time,” he said.

The truck will be used to fulfil CTV’s ongoing contract for Sky Sports’ cricket, but it would be premature to infer that BSkyB is timing a 4K (Ultra-HD) channel launch for mid-2014.

Live Ultra-HD jobs are virtually non-existent at present and the production technology to achieve them is patchy, but OB suppliers have to invest ahead of the market.

All the main suppliers are testing kit for developers Sony and Grass Valley.

SIS LIVE sales director Simon Bowler said: “There will be a major push into Ultra-HD, but we’re not there yet.

“Broadcasters must make a significant commitment to make that happen. Ultra-HD will definitely feature in the next trucks we build.”

OB supplier Arena, meanwhile, is not committing to the format for at least six months.

“We will review that position as we believe there is work for a medium-sized truck to be added to our fleet,” said managing director Richard Yeowart.

Sony claims to have proof of concept that 4K is operationally and technically feasible following tests at the Confederations Cup in Brazil last month.